Head of programmes jobs in London

The Chilterns Conservation Board (CCB) is a statutory body established by Parliamentary Order in 2004. It is one of only two Conservation Boards in the country set up under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. Our primary role is to promote the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty of the Chilterns AONB, now known as the Chilterns National Landscape. Where compatible with this purpose, we also promote public understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities and seek to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities.

This is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping, resourcing and delivering a high-quality portfolio of programmes and projects for the Chilterns National Landscape. The post-holder will ensure that programmes are strategically aligned to the AONB Management Plan for the Chilterns National Landscape and Organisational Strategy, and are delivered with strong governance, financial control, risk management, and measurable impact.

The role requires oversight of complex, multi-partner initiatives supported by a range of funders including Defra, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Environment Agency and water companies. The successful applicant will be expected to bring strong programme leadership, sound judgement and the ability to balance strategic oversight with day-to-day delivery.

Key priorities include embedding effective programme and project management approaches, strengthening a culture of risk management, health and safety, compliance, and ensuring that monitoring, evaluation and learning are consistently built into delivery. The post-holder will also play a leading role in identifying opportunities, developing proposals and securing resources to sustain and grow the Chilterns National Landscape’s programme of work

About Saferworld

Saferworld is an independent international organisation working in partnership with civil society to prevent violent conflict and build safer lives. We work in solidarity with people affected by conflict to improve their safety and sense of security, and we build conditions for peace and justice. We also support analysis and learning to influence local, national and international policies and practices that help foster lasting peace and justice. Our priority is people – we believe in a world where everyone can lead peaceful, fulfilling lives free from fear and insecurity. We operate on a not-for-profit basis with partners in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, with nine offices across those regions and offices in the UK, USA and Belgium.

Saferworld is committed to providing a safe, trusted environment that safeguards our staff, partners and communities. Our organisational integrity is derived from the values and principles that underpin and guide our work.

We are seeking a strategic and inspiring Head of Funding and Programme Development with a proven ability to lead, motivate, and mobilise resources in a values-driven environment. This role calls for a leader who is deeply committed to equitable partnerships with communities and organisations in conflict-affected settings, guiding teams to raise resources effectively while advancing peace and justice outcomes. Grounded in a people-centred vision of change, you will foster collaboration, champion locally-led approaches, and steer efforts toward resourcing sustainable, community-driven, and collective visions of peace.

About the role

• The Head of Funding and Programme Development will shape Saferworld’s income profile in alignment with our organisational strategy and change process. The post-holder will lead the development and implementation of Saferworld’s funding strategy, ensuring it supports our strategic, programmatic and operational priorities.
• The role will focus on strengthening the quality, flexibility and diversity of Saferworld’s funding base, nurturing relationships with strategic institutional donors, growing philanthropic funding, and identifying new income opportunities.
• This is an exciting opportunity to influence Saferworld’s fundraising and programme development approach during a pivotal period for the organisation. The role will line-manage a small team across programme development, philanthropy and funding.

Key responsibilities

• As part of Saferworld’s senior leadership, you will support organisation-wide initiatives and contribute to strategic decision-making. You will monitor funding trends, identify emerging issues relevant to Saferworld’s work and partnership approaches, and develop appropriate strategies to respond.
• Working closely with the Senior Operations Team, you will ensure funding plans are developed across business units and thematic/regional areas, and that income pipelines are maintained while quality assurance and active cost recovery are proactively pursued. You will oversee the funding and prospects pipeline, produce data and analysis to support decision-making, and provide regular reporting to senior leaders and the Board.
• Externally, you will represent Saferworld with key donors, partners and networks, building strategic relationships and identifying funding opportunities.
• You will lead the development, implementation and monitoring of Saferworld’s funding strategy, ensuring a balanced, ethical and diverse portfolio of restricted and unrestricted income streams. This will include securing quality funding against agreed targets and supporting income diversification through trusts and foundations, commercial funding, and other sources.
• You will work closely with Saferworld’s Grant Management Team to ensure a coordinated and strategic approach to donor relationship management and cultivation. You will also lead the design of multi-country and thematic proposals, as well as consortia bid development, to strengthen partnerships and support new ways of resourcing Saferworld’s strategy.
• The post-holder will set standards for collaborative and participatory programme design, manage proposal development processes from opportunity notice to contract signing, and ensure learning from donor feedback is used to strengthen our fundraising approach.
• You will lead the Funding Leadership Team to ensure cross-organisational ownership of fundraising efforts, and work closely with regional, thematic, policy and grant management colleagues throughout the funding cycle.

People and leadership

• You will line-manage the Funding and Programme Development Team and foster an environment where staff feel empowered, take responsibility and are accountable for achieving organisational objectives.
• You will ensure the team facilitates strong participatory programme design and proposal development with partners and staff, embedding Saferworld’s organisational values and principles. You will also support the team to work closely with colleagues across the organisation, grounding proposals in learning, evidence and evaluation findings.

About you

• You will bring proven senior leadership experience in funding, with a track record of developing and implementing funding strategies and raising income through a range of donors, including individuals, institutions, trusts and foundations. You will also have experience securing high-value contracts and grants of seven figures.
• You will have strong experience of leading complex participatory programme design, including developing budgets, monitoring frameworks and proposals. You will be confident coordinating programme development processes with multiple teams and partners to ensure a collaborative and inclusive approach.
• You will have a proven track record of motivating, mentoring and managing a team, and supporting that team to think creatively about fundraising. You will also be confident developing networks, building alliances, and nurturing relationships with individuals, collaborators and funders.
• You will bring a strong understanding of key political, development and humanitarian trends and debates, particularly linked to peacebuilding, development, human rights, governance, and security and justice. You will also have sound knowledge of UK civil society and charity regulatory requirements, and an understanding of the current international aid, peacebuilding and human rights funding environment.
• Experience of working and/or living in conflict-affected contexts, and understanding of peacebuilding and conflict prevention, are desirable.

Skills and qualities

• You will have excellent leadership and management skills, including strategic planning and business development. You will be able to provide sound financial and compliance advice, demonstrate good financial stewardship, and bring a creative, proactive approach to your work.
• You will be able to set priorities while working under pressure, adjust to multiple demands and shifting priorities, and move between hands-on involvement in proposal writing and strategic oversight.
• You will bring strong communication skills, including experience of communicating across cultures and with diverse audiences. You will understand the power imbalances that may be reflected in programme design and budgeting, and bring a strong commitment to inclusive processes and to shifting power and resources to partners.
• You will be committed to Saferworld’s vision, mission and values, including equality, diversity and safeguarding. You will be able to lead by example and create a safe and respectful environment for all staff.

Application process

• Please apply through our vacancy portal on the Saferworld Jobs website.
• Upload your CV and a covering letter addressing the person specification and explaining why your experience matches the requirements of the role.

Deadline for applications: 3 August 2026
Interviews planned: Week commencing 10 August 2026

This is an exciting role with a significant level of autonomy for an ambitious and experienced youth work professional. The Head of Youth Work & Delivery Partnerships will lead and manage a large team of Youth Workers while taking operational responsibility for WEST’s seven-day-a-week universal youth work offer. As the leading provider of universal access youth work in Hammersmith and Fulham, and part of the OnSide network, WEST has a strong reputation and growing impact. The postholder will hold overall responsibility for delivering a vibrant, open-access Youth Zone for the young people of West London, welcoming up to 200 young people per session.

You will lead the development and delivery of the core youth work provision, including junior, senior and holiday clubs, ensuring high standards of practice and a culture of continuous improvement. You will also ensure the Youth Zone remains a fun, supportive, safe and inclusive environment that attracts and retains young people, helping to raise aspirations and support positive outcomes.

You will be a member of WEST’s Senior Leadership Team, and will work in tandem with the Chief Executive, the Senior Leadership Team and the Board of Trustees to help WEST achieve its goal of delivering life-changing youth work to young people in West London.

As a member of SLT, you will embody the highest standards of professionalism and act as a role model for the culture we wish to create at WEST, and make a focused, measurable contribution to WEST’s overall strategic plan.

ABOUT WEST YOUTH ZONE

WEST Youth Zone, named Where Everyone Sticks Together by local young people, opened in April 2024 - a purpose-built space fizzing with energy and crammed with incredible facilities. Staffed by talented, skilled and dedicated youth workers who truly believe in young people, helping them see what they could achieve, and giving them the skills, confidence and ambition to go for it.

At WEST, we believe all young people in West London should have the opportunity to discover their passion and their purpose and be able to explore where it can take them. We are open 7 days a week, while schools are closed - that’s evenings and weekends, plus all through the school holidays. We offer a safe and active space for young people to flourish in their leisure time, where their interests can be nurtured, and they can grow as individuals.

Hammermith & Fulham is a borough of wide disparities, with an acute need for youth services. This vast difference between those living in different neighbourhoods can lead to radically different life outcomes. Our Youth Zone is a vital provision that will make a huge impact on the lives of young people, and on the whole area, levelling the playing field for our young people.

We give 8 to 19-year-olds, (and up to 25 for young people with additional needs) affordable access to a broad range of sport, arts and mental health support, and employability services, designed to empower them to lead healthier, positive and more active lives – raising their aspirations for themselves and their community. This is a charity that the whole community can be proud of, and you can be part of that journey.